How to reduce weeding

Weeding is not the favourite task in the garden so here's a tip on how to reduce it.

The easiest ways to lay a weed suppressing membrane. This is sold by the roll in garden centres and an ideal time to lay a membrane is in a new garden or new border. Once it is in place cover with bark, so that you cannot see it, and weeding is reduced to a minimum.

Check ties regularly and use soft ties not as illustrated-raffia makes excellent soft but stong ties. Here is an example of how not tie in young plants. This is an easy mistake to make when you tie in a young plant, in this case a tomato.

This tie was fine when first placed on the plant. But, remember the plant will grow, the tie gets tighter and can cut into the plant read more about growing tomatoes.

Winter tips

It is a good idea to drain the water butt before the worst of the winter frost and cold. The image left shows what can happen if frost gets a hold and when it expands the water butt fractures a costly mistake. More hints on winter gardening tips.

Effective watering

One way to ensure you water efficiently especially is to take a small plastic water bottle, cut off the bottom and sink the top into the ground along side the plant. When watering pour the water into the open cut top of the bottle which ensures the water penetrates down to the roots.This is good for those plants which need regular watering and to the roots- Tomatoes, Melons